Dental Problems of Aged People

Dental care is very important for all aged people since the lose of one permanent tooth is the loss forever.And the older people have much complicated and different types of dental problems compared with the younger people. Even so,proper dental care from the small age itself can prevent most of the dental problems.

One of the most common dental problems that the older people face are the cavities. Dry mouth is the one condition that ultimately lead to tooth decay and one of the cause of dry mouth is any kind of medication taken by the elder people.As part of the ageing process they may start to notice their gums receding exposing the root of the tooth to the cavities.If the older people doesn’t had the benefit of having fluoridated water during their younger days,the chance of weakening the teeth are more.

People of this age may experience tooth sensitivity to the utmost temperatures,sweet and sour foods etc. due to the gum recession exposing the tooth root.Brushing with formulated toothpastes and using fluoridated oral products can somehow minimize the tooth sensitivity.The much better option is to do a soft tissue graft by consulting a dentist.

Senior citizens are more at the risk of oral cancer than the younger people and their life long habit of smoking and drinking increases the chance for this disease.It should be brought to the attention of a doctor immediately if a lesion or sore is seen in the mouth.

The most common problem with the elderly people is the loosening of teeth.A better suggestion to this problem is to consult a Periodontist who will recommend a thorough checkup.

Older adults who are fitted with dentures sometimes feel some discomfort with the fitting of dentures.This is because the bones and gums that support dentures also begin to loose strength and change shape as you get older.Take the dentures to the dentist as soon as possible rather than to correct it yourself.

The problem of the teeth will eventually lead to Malnutrition since the older people mostly have the problems of chewing and swallowing.So it is much better to have a balanced type of eating habit which include a lot of grains,fruits and vegetables and limit your intake of salt.Regular consultation (normally once in 6 months) with the dentist is the only way to save your teeth.